Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 9: The extremely rare artifact which has been recently recovered from district Budgam in Kashmir valley, will be displayed for researchers and general public in the Archaeological gallery at SPS Museum Lal Mandi Srinagar by Directorate of Archives and Museums.
A team of Archaeologists active in its drive of exploration and excavation of the Archaeological antiquities was successful in recovery of several rare antiquities of immense Archaeological value. The team has made certain path breaking findings of Kashmir sculpture art, said M S Zahid Director Archaeology.
The team recently encountered a rarest stone sculpture of a Hindu deity identified as Hanuman at Kralpora, Chadoora in Budgam district. The team claims that it is first time when any such Archaeological find of this kind has been reported from Kashmir Valley, he added.
He said the team in its preliminary report states, “the stone sculpture measuring 43” x 19″in height and breadth has been identified as that of Hanuman in standing posture on lotus designed pedestal. The sculpture is dated to 9th century AD. It was the period when Kashmir was under the rule of Varma dynasty and Raja Avantivarmana was on the throne of Kashmir. He is recorded to have built his capital city at Awantipora, he added.
Besides he is known to have built two wonderful temples in his capital city. The remains of these massive stone temples are still found on the right bank of River Jhelum. These remains are being maintained by Archaeological Survey of India, Mr Zahid said.
He said the State Archaeology Department earlier had found number of sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities which included the sculptures of Lord Buddha, Vishnu, Shiva Gaja Lakishmi, Ganesha and Kartikya. These sculptures are housed and preserved in the Archaeological Gallery of SPS Museum at Lalmandi, Srinagar.
Hanuman as per the Hindu traditions is a famous deity, who was an ardent devotee of Rama. He is a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and its various versions. He also finds mentions in several other texts, including Mahabharata, the various Puranas and some Jain texts. A vanara (ape-like humanoid), Hanuman participated in Rama’s war against the demon king Ravana. Several texts also present him as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is also considered the son of Vayu, who according to several myths played a role in his birth.
It is pertinent to mention here that there is no record of any sculpture identified as Hanuman to have been found from any such archaeological site of Kashmir. This extremely rare sculpture is under the study of archaeological experts and final report and details are awaited and would be made public in near future.
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